Circuit and method for decoding color code of a 3D display

ABSTRACT

A circuit and a method for decoding a color code of a 3D display. The color code decoding circuit is built into an on-screen display of a circuit in a display. The color code decoding circuit has several comparators, several recording buffers, a register, a first counter and a second counter. The comparators read a 3D image signal and compare this 3D image signal with a reference signal to obtain a color code value by decoding. The color code value is then recorded in the recording buffer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of a prior applicationSer. No. 09/874,155, filed Jun. 5, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,885,379. Theprior application Ser. No. 09/874,155 claims the priority benefit ofTaiwan application serial no. 90111023, filed on May 9, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to a circuit and a method for decodingcolor codes of a 3D video signal. More particularly, the inventionrelates to a method and a circuit built into an on screen display unitin a display to decode a 3D video signal into a color code.

2. Description of the Related Art

One of the objectives of developing technology is to improve livingquality. As technology continuously progresses, living quality isconstantly enhanced. For example, in audio video systems, the planar(2D) image has now advanced to a 3D (stereo) image with a bodilyexperience.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a 3D color code. In FIG. 1, avertical synchronous signal with first 64 lines of horizontalsynchronous signals of a 3D image is shown. The color code signal is asignal to distinguish a 3D image format in a 3D stereo video system (notshown). The signal is normally hidden in a video graphics adapter (VGA)signal. By mapping the red (R) signal, green (G) signal and blue (B)signal, the color code hidden in the video signal can be detected. Thedisplay then processes properly according to the image format.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic drawing of a 3D video system. In FIG. 2, theconventional decoding method of a 3D video color code is to output a 3Dvideo signal in a video signal from a VGA card 204 of a computer 202.Via a cable 206, the 3D video signal is then sent to a signal processingbox 208 with a 3D video color code decoding and signal processingcircuit. The 3D video color decoded circuit in the signal processing box208 detects the color code signal and determines the type of the 3Dvideo signal (the currently used 3D video signal format includes SyncDouble, Line Blinking, Page Flipping and Interleave) for proper videosignal process.

After being decoded and processed by the signal processing box 208, the3D video signal is sent to the display 210 to display a 3D video image.The wireless eradiation device 212 transmits the 3D synchronous signalin a form of an electric wave to a pair of 3D glasses. The observer canthus have a 3D vision by alternately blocking one eye.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a conventional 3D video color codedecoded and signal processed circuit. In FIG. 3, the comparator 302compares the level of R signal of the RGB signal output from a VGA card.The comparison result is output to a micro-controller 310 as color codedecoding data. Similarly, the comparators 304 and 306 compare the levelsof G and B signals of the RGB signal, respectively, as color codedecoding data, which are then output to the micro-controller 310.

The horizontal and vertical synchronous signals output from the VGA cardare used for circuit synchronization of the micro-controller 310 and thedisplay (not shown). The micro-controller 310 generates a 3D synchronoussignal, which is then sent to a pair of 3D glasses, according to thehorizontal and vertical synchronous signals. The blocking speed of the3D glasses is thus synchronous to the 3D video image shown by thedisplay. The micro-controller 310 further comprises a function ofprocessing signal. When the micro-controller 310 receives the color codedecoding data from the comparators 302, 304 and 306, the type of the 3Dvideo signal is determined according to the built-in 3D video signalformat data. A proper image signal process is then performed.

Accordingly, the conventional color code decoding system is of a 3Ddisplay is installed in an external signal processing box. The signalprocessing box is connected to the VGA card of computer via a cable. Thecolor code decoding system of the 3D display receives an image signaloutput from the VGA card. Thus, a decoding device (typically amicro-controller) is required between the computer and the display todecode the 3D video signal. This is very inconvenient and not economicat all.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a color code decoding circuit and method in a 3Ddisplay. The color code decoding system is built into the 3D displaywithout using additional cable and device such as a micro-controller.Space is thus saved, and the performance of the 3D display is enhanced.

The color code decoded circuit of a 3D display provided by the inventionis built into an on-screen display of the display circuit. The colorcode decoded circuit comprises several comparators, several recordbuffers, a register, a first counter and a second counter. According toa sample signal, the comparators perform comparisons on a referencesignal and a 3D video signal to obtain several decoded color codevalues. The record buffers are used to record the color code values. Theregister temporarily stores a readable flag that indicates whether adecoding process is performed on the 3D video signal. The first countercounts the number of the vertical synchronous signal of the 3D videosignal. While each vertical synchronous signal is counted, the firstcounter resets the readable flag. The second counter counts the numberof the horizontal synchronous signal of the 3D video signal. When thenumber of the horizontal synchronous signal reaches a predeterminedvalue, the second counter configures the readable flag.

The invention provides a method of decoding color codes of a 3D display.A 3D image signal is read. The 3D image signal is compared to areference signal to obtain a color code value. The color code value isrecorded in the record buffer.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a conventional 3D color code;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a conventional 3D video system;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a conventional 3D video color codedecoded and signal processing circuit;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic drawing of a 3D video system according to theinvention;

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a 3D video color code decoded circuitaccording to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a method for decoding a 3D video color codeaccording to the invention; and

FIG. 7 shows a schematic drawing of a 3D color code according to theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 4 shows a schematic drawing of a 3D video system. In FIG. 4, a 3Dvideo signal (with color code signal hidden in the video signal) isoutput from a VGA card 404 of a computer 402 to a display 408 withbuilt-in 3D video color code decoded and image processed circuit via acable 406. The 3D video color code decoded circuit (not shown) in thedisplay 408 detects the color code of the 3D video signal, anddetermines the type of the 3D video signal by a signal processed circuitin the display 408 for proper video signal process.

A video signal is obtained from decoding and processing the 3D videosignal by the 3D video color code decoded and signal processed circuitof the display 408, which then shows a 3D video picture. The wirelesseradiation device built into the display 408 then emits the 3Dsynchronous signal from the signal processed circuit to the 3D glasses410. After receiving the 3D synchronous signal output from the wirelesseradiation device, the observer can obtain a 3D vision by alternatelyblocking one eye.

A block diagram of a 3D video color code decoded circuit is illustratedin FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the color code decoded circuit 500 is built intoan on-screen display 524 of a circuit in a display. One terminal of acomparator 502 is to receive an R signal of the video signal output froma VGA card, while the other terminal of the comparator 502 is coupled toa reference potential of 0.5V. Since the potential of the video signalfrom the VGA card is 0.7V_(p-p), after receiving the sample signal froma phase lock circuit 522, the comparator 502 outputs a “1” (a highlevel) signal when the level of the R signal is higher than the level ofthe reference potential. In contrast, when the level of the R signal ofthe video signal is lower than the level of the reference potential, thecomparator 502 outputs a “0” (a low level) signal. Meanwhile, the resultof each comparison (“0” or “1”) of the comparator 502 is stored in therecord buffer 508. When the readable flag is configured as “1” by thecounter 520 (that is, the counter 520 sets the temporary storage of theregister 514 as “1”), the micro-controller reads all the data in therecord buffer 508 via the bus (such as the IIC BUS 516 in FIG. 5).

Similarly, each of the comparators 504 and 506 of the color code decodedcircuit 500 comprises one terminal to receive the G signal and the Rsignal of the video signal output from the VGA card, respectively, andthe other terminal is coupled to a reference potential of 0.5V. Afterreceiving the sample signal output from the phase lock circuit, thecomparators 504 and 506 output “1” signals when the levels of the Gsignal and the R signal are higher than the level of the referencepotential. When the levels of the G signal and the R signal are lowerthan the level of the reference potential, the comparators 504 and 506output “0” signals. Meanwhile, each comparison result of the comparators504 and 506 is sequentially stored in the record buffers 510 and 512,respectively. When the readable flag is configured as “1” by the counter520 (that is, the value temporarily stored by the register 514 is set as“1” by the counter 520), the micro-controller reads all the data storedin the record buffers 510 and 512 via the IIC BUS 516.

In FIG. 5, the register 514 temporarily stores the value of the readableflag. A value of the readable flag equal to “0” indicates that the colorcode decoded circuit 500 is decoding a 3D video signal. When the valueof the readable flag is “1”, the color code decoded circuit is finishingdecoding the 3D video signal. The counter 518 counts the number of thevertical synchronous signals of the 3D video signal. Whenever thecounter 518 is counting the vertical synchronous signal, the readableflag is configured as “0” by the counter 518. The counter 520 counts thenumber of the horizontal synchronous signals. When the number of thehorizontal synchronous signals reaches 64 (the embodiment uses ahorizontal synchronous signal with 64 lines as an example), the counter520 sets the readable flag to “1”. The phase lock circuit 522 built intothe on-screen display 524 receives the horizontal synchronous signals.The frequency generated by the phase lock loop circuit 522 is a multipleof the frequency of the horizontal synchronous signal. The R signal, theG signal and the B signal of the horizontal synchronous signals aresampled at the middle thereof. Therefore, when the counting frequency ofthe phase lock loop circuit 522 is at the middle of each signal, thefrequency is the sampling signal provided to the comparators 502, 504and 506.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of the 3D image decoding method of theinvention. Referring to both the block diagram in FIG. 5 and the flowchart in FIG. 6, a video signal output from the VGA card includesvertical synchronous signals, while the vertical synchronous signalsfurther comprise horizontal synchronous signals. FIG. 7 shows aschematic drawing of the 3D color code of the invention. The 64 lines ofthe horizontal synchronous signal are located in the front of thevertical synchronous signal. Each line of the horizontal synchronous ofthe 3D video signal further comprises the R, G and B signals in front.

The vertical synchronous signal of the 3D video signal output from theVGA card counted by the counter 518 can be treated as the leading edgefor detecting the vertical synchronous signal. When the counter detectsthe leading edge of the vertical synchronous signal, the color codedecoded circuit 500 erases the contents of the record buffers 508, 510and 512. The readable flag of the counter 518 is configured as “0” (thatis, the value of the register 514 is configured as “0” by the counter518) (S602).

Since the readable flag is “0”, the first horizontal synchronous signalis input to the color code decoded circuit 500. The R signal, G signaland B signal of the first synchronous signal are sent to the comparators502, 504 and 506, respectively. In FIG. 7, after receiving the samplingsignals from the phase lock signal, the sampling results of the samplingpoints in the R, G, B signals of the first horizontal synchronous signalare that the comparator 502 outputs “1”, the comparator 504 outputs “0”and the comparator outputs “1”, whereas the output results for writingthe first bits of the record registers 508, 510 and 512 into thecomparators 502, 504 and 506 are “1”, “0” and “1”, respectively (S604).Similarly, at the sampling points of the R, G, B signals of the 2 to 64horizontal synchronous signals, the comparators 502, 504 and 506 writethe sampling results to the 2 to 64 bits of the record buffers 510, 512and 514, respectively. Thus, the 64 lines of the R, G, B signals of thehorizontal synchronous signals of the 3D video signal can be decodedinto a 3D video color data.

After decoding 64 lines of the horizontal synchronous signal of the 3Dvideo image into the 3D video color code data, and after sequentiallywriting the 3D color code data into the record buffers 510, 512 and 514,the process stops. Meanwhile, since the counting value of the counter520 reaches 64, the counter 520 configures the readable flag as “1”(that is, the value of the register 514 is configured as “1”) (S606).

The micro-controller of the display then checks the value of theregister 514 and whether the readable flag has been configured as “1”.When the micro-controller finds out that the readable flag is configuredas “1”, all the decoded data in the record buffers 508, 510 and 512 areread by the micro-controller via the IIC BUS 516 (S608). Meanwhile, themicro-controller judges whether the decoded data read from the recordbuffers 508, 510 and 512 meet the format of the 3D video signal (any ofSync, Line Blinking, Page Flipping and Interleave). When the data meetthe format of the 3D video signal, a sub-program for processing the 3Dvideo signal is entered to show the 3D video picture on the display. Ifthe decoded data does not meet the format of the 3D video signal, itindicates that the decoded color code data is incorrect, so that thedisplay cannot show the 3D video picture, and the process goes back tostep S602.

In the invention, the color code decoded circuit of the 3D display isbuilt into the on-screen display of the display. As a result, the 3Dvideo signal processed signal can achieve the functions via themicro-controller of the display without additional cable and signalprocessing box (that is, the color code decoded circuit andmicro-controller). No additional space is occupied, and the performanceof 3D display is enhanced.

Other embodiments of the invention will appear to those skilled in theart from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

1. A method for decoding a 3D video signal decoded with a color code fora 3D display, the method comprising: detecting a leading edge of thevertical synchronous signal of the 3D video signal; resetting a readableflag; comparing the 3D video signal with a reference signal to obtain adecoded color code value; counting a number of times the 3D video signalis read, after the number reaches a predetermined value, configuring thereadable flag; outputting the decoded color code value when the readableflag has been configured; judging whether the color code value meets a3D video format, wherein when the color code value meets the 3D videoformat, entering a process sub-program; and when the color code valuedoes not meet the 3D video format, going back detecting the leading edgeof the vertical synchronous signal of the 3D video signal; anddisplaying a 3D video image based on the readable flag.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the step of counting the number of timesthe 3D video signal is read, comprising: counting a number of a verticalsynchronous signal of the 3D video signal, wherein each time when thecounting is performed, the readable flag is reset; and counting a numberof a horizontal synchronous signal of the 3D video signal, wherein whenthe number of the horizontal synchronous signal reaches thepredetermined value, the readable flag is configured.